biking when it is raining
07-09-11, 11:04 AM
#1
worldtraveller
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biking when it is raining
What are your solutions to riding when it is really really hard out for a few days in a row and you want to ride.
What do you do to fill the urge?
or if u do ride in the rain, your recommendations of rain gear etc. thanks
What do you do to fill the urge?
or if u do ride in the rain, your recommendations of rain gear etc. thanks
07-09-11, 12:00 PM
#2
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A trainer.
I don't willingly ride in the rain. Of course I don't live where it rains constantly either.
Reasons I don't ride in the rain if I can help it:
Flat tires.
Drive train wear.
Increased road surface treachery - The striping and manhole covers when wet are slicker than ice.
Cars, as bad as they are when it's dry are worse in the rain. The can't see you as well and they don't expect to see you.
You might try posting this question in the Commuter forum or the Pacific Northwest. Good Luck.
I don't willingly ride in the rain. Of course I don't live where it rains constantly either.
Reasons I don't ride in the rain if I can help it:
Flat tires.
Drive train wear.
Increased road surface treachery - The striping and manhole covers when wet are slicker than ice.
Cars, as bad as they are when it's dry are worse in the rain. The can't see you as well and they don't expect to see you.
You might try posting this question in the Commuter forum or the Pacific Northwest. Good Luck.
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07-09-11, 03:15 PM
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I ride with no rain gear or just a wind breaker as you get wet no matter what you wear. I do carry rain gear just in case I flat, as I need to stay warm as possible until I fix the problem. A ride in the rain can be a lot of fun btw.
07-09-11, 05:43 PM
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Riding in the rain is very refreshing here in the subtropics.
07-09-11, 06:57 PM
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I try to avoid rain if possible, it wears the drivetrain down faster and can deteriorate if not cleaned soon. I either wait for the rain to pass or either do stationary/trainer bike work or go for a run if its light rain. Then there is also weights and other exercises you can do while staying out of the rain.
07-09-11, 07:12 PM
#6
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worldtraveler, I'd just put the fenders on the touring bike and go ride.
Brad
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07-09-11, 07:46 PM
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I never start a ride in the rain but normally enjoy riding in a "light" rain if I get caught in it. Then again I do not worry about drive train wear. Lube it when I get back and replace it when it wears out.
07-10-11, 01:08 PM
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I use a bike with a simple, cheap drivetrain, only wear a jacket and shorts, unless it's winter- but try to find water resistant shoe covers or dry socks. Cold, wet hands and feet aren't safe.
07-10-11, 01:45 PM
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I really like riding in heavy rain. On my commute I ride whatever the weather, as long as you have the right gear it isn't that uncomfortable. Ontario rain is much more like UK than Taiwan, cool to cold.
Fit fenders, find some decent waterproofs, top and bottom, use booties, sealskinz or waterproof boots.
My fav waterproofs are Paramo, they dry on the inside better than Goretex.
A helmet visor is useful.
I havent found a good glove solution, my fleece windstopper get wet but otherwise perform OK.
We dont get a lot of heavy rain over here in the east of the England but on the South coast I used to ride along the seafront during big storms. Ive ridden in horizontal hard rain in Denmark, days of torrential heavy rain in Norway and Ireland, heavy freezing rain in the UK and heavy sleet in Slovenia.
Fit fenders, find some decent waterproofs, top and bottom, use booties, sealskinz or waterproof boots.
My fav waterproofs are Paramo, they dry on the inside better than Goretex.
A helmet visor is useful.
I havent found a good glove solution, my fleece windstopper get wet but otherwise perform OK.
We dont get a lot of heavy rain over here in the east of the England but on the South coast I used to ride along the seafront during big storms. Ive ridden in horizontal hard rain in Denmark, days of torrential heavy rain in Norway and Ireland, heavy freezing rain in the UK and heavy sleet in Slovenia.
07-10-11, 02:47 PM
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Fenders, and don't wear your 100% cotton cycling clothes.
If you already don't wear 100% cotton cycling clothes you are half way there.
If you already don't wear 100% cotton cycling clothes you are half way there.
07-10-11, 10:24 PM
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I ride the trainer or do maintenance on my bike. its the same thing I do all winter long.
07-11-11, 04:09 PM
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Ride on...rain or shine. BTW Fenders and rain gear help alot. Umbrellas aren't a bad thing either. 
Aaron
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Webshots is bailing out, if you find any of my posts with corrupt picture files and want to see them corrected please let me know. :(
ISO: A late 1980's Giant Iguana MTB frameset (or complete bike) 23" Red with yellow graphics.
"Cycling should be a way of life, not a hobby.
RIDE, YOU FOOL, RIDE!"_Nicodemus
"Steel: nearly a thousand years of metallurgical development
Aluminum: barely a hundred
Which one would you rather have under your butt at 30mph?"_krazygluon
07-11-11, 04:13 PM
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07-11-11, 05:46 PM
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I have a waterproof jacket and full-zip rain pants. They fit up into two tiny balls in my backpack when I don't need them. I can take them on and off quickly, without taking off my shoes/boots, so my commute isn't any worse for it. Bone dry at the end of my ride.
In Austin, the rain tends to come in torrents, so there's no such thing as riding in a drizzle... if I feel a drop, by the time I get to my destination I'll be absolutely drenched no matter what, so the rain gear is my only rain riding getup. I don't even have fenders on my daily commuter since rain is so rare here; my only fendered bike has steel rims. If I'm on my cruiser, I wait out the rain.
In Austin, the rain tends to come in torrents, so there's no such thing as riding in a drizzle... if I feel a drop, by the time I get to my destination I'll be absolutely drenched no matter what, so the rain gear is my only rain riding getup. I don't even have fenders on my daily commuter since rain is so rare here; my only fendered bike has steel rims. If I'm on my cruiser, I wait out the rain.
07-12-11, 10:27 AM
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Depends on how cold it is. If I want to take a ride and I think it will rain, and it's not too cold, I take my aluminum-frame bike (with fenders), and don't carry anything that can't get wet. Then I enjoy the ride.
If it's cold out, I stay in and read a book.
If it's cold out, I stay in and read a book.
